The Best Small Space-Friendly Fitness Equipment That'll Elevate Your Home Gym

Gaiam Essentials Premium Yoga Mat

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A yoga mat is one of the most versatile pieces of fitness equipment around, not to mention space-efficient. This budget-friendly pick from Gaiam is a classic, with an extra-thick construction and sticky non-slip texture that makes exercise easy and comfortable. Plus, it comes in a range of colors that'll suit both your personality and your décor scheme. Use this mat to pad your knees during warm-ups and cool-downs, and let it support you as you tackle classic yoga and Pilates exercises.

Bala Bangles

4.8

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If you want to up the ante on your lowest-impact workouts, strap on a pair of wearable weights. They’ll add a little weight to your wrists or ankles, making everyday actions—like walking around your house—more challenging. (We’re not saying you’ll be dripping with sweat the next time you get up to grab a snack, but you will be waking up your muscles—and building strength little by little.)

The Bala Bangles have quickly become a fan favorite, because they’re comfortable, effective, and, dare we say, cute. Let them add a welcome challenge to your next yoga routine, or use them to make your neighborhood walks a little more efficient.

Tribe Premium Resistance Bands Set

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Don’t have room for a ton of free weights? We feel you—and that’s exactly why we love resistance bands so much. By applying heavy resistance to classic moves like pulls, kicks, and rows, resistance bands simulate the experience of weightlifting, giving you the chance to build strength in a decidedly space-efficient (and budget-friendly) way.

This colorful set from Tribe Premium includes five resistance bands across resistance levels ranging from 10 pounds to 50 pounds. Just connect them to the cushioned handles and ankle straps included in the kit, and get to work.

Synergee Core Sliders

4.7

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If you’re trying to get a good workout without taking up a ton of space, bodyweight exercises—like push-ups, planks, and mountain climbers—are key. And a pair of sliders, like these pink beauties from Synergee, can help you take your favorite bodyweight workouts to the next level. Simply slip the sliders underneath your hands or your feet, and go about your workouts the way you normally would. The sliders will reduce your grip on the ground, forcing you to engage your core just to stay balanced. 

Iron Gym Pull Up Workout Bar

4.8

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Looking to build upper-body strength without investing in a full-blown weight machine? Consider buying a pull-up bar instead. A pull-up bar will convert any doorway in your home into a piece of fitness equipment, allowing you to build strength without taking up much space at all.

This pick from Iron Gym fits most standard doorways, and since it’s lined with foam it's easy enough to grip. The best part? This pull-up bar doesn’t require screws or nails. It’ll deliver a stable workout—supporting up to 300 pounds at a time—without putting any holes in your wall. (Tip: Hide it under your bed when you're done so it doesn't become an eye sore in your living room.)

OPTP Lo Rox Aligned Travel Foam Roller

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A well-rounded fitness routine isn’t all about working out. Recovery is an important part of the process—and a foam roller can make sure your warm-ups and cool-downs are as effective as your workouts. If you’ve never used a foam roller before, you might want to choose a softer option, like the OPTP Lo Rox Aligned Travel Foam Roller.

Whereas most foam rollers are made from high-density foam, this one is made from moderate-density foam—a distinction that can take a massage from uncomfortably intense to oh-so delightful. Use the foam roller to massage your back, your legs, and any other body part that’s bothering you. Foam roller inspiration videos are as abundant as workout inspiration videos, so you can use those to get started. 

DEGOL Skipping Rope with Ball Bearings

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If you’re a fan of cardio, you might have a hard time finding space-efficient fitness equipment. After all, most cardio machines are big and bulky—not to mention, expensive. So if you’re low on space and operating within a tight budget, what are you to do? Invest in a jump rope.

Jump roping is a great way to get your heart rate up—the CDC even recommends it as a form of vigorous exercise! Plus, a quick jump roping session can be a good excuse to get outside—even if just for a few minutes. This pick from DEGOL is classic and budget-friendly, and you can easily adjust the length to make sure it suits you just right.

Peach Bands Resistance Bands Set

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Make your favorite lower-body exercises more challenging by slipping into a resistance loop. Like resistance bands, resistance loops simulate the feeling of weightlifting. Because they’re thin, lightweight, and flexible, you can use them to build strength in places that would be tough to reach with traditional free weights—like your hips, your thighs, and your glutes.

These resistance loops from Peach Bands are cute and colorful—and since each loop boasts a different resistance level (ranging from 10 pounds to 35 pounds), this set makes it easy to build strength over time. Slide a resistance loop over your thighs and tackle some clamshells, or slip one over your calves to perfect your form during squats.

Gorilla Bow Portable Home Gym

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The Gorilla Bow does the work of an entire gym while demanding a fraction of the space. The bow doubles as a weight-lifting bar, and it ships with four resistance bands that you can layer to get a resistance level between 10 pounds and 110 pounds. Simply slot your resistance bands into place, pick up your bow, and get to work.

You can use the Gorilla Bow like a bench press, a leg press, a rowing machine—and of course, like a classic bow. If there’s a classic fitness machine you’re trying to replicate, the Gorilla Bow is probably up to the task. (After all, Gorilla calls its product a “portable home gym” for a reason.)

Gaiam Balance Ball

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Stability balls are a classic addition to any at-home fitness routine. Why? You can use them for stretches, bodyweight exercises, and more. And since you can fully deflate them whenever you want to, you don’t have to worry about them taking up too much space.

This pick from Gaiam comes in an array of vibrant shades, and since it’s lightly ribbed for traction you won’t have to worry about it slipping away from you mid-workout. Lie on top of the ball to make your crunches a little harder, or use it as a substitute for your go-to desk chair. It’s pretty hard to go wrong with such a versatile piece of equipment, so don’t be afraid to experiment.